zoomieport
Well-known member
well done sir!
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
well done sir!
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
That's interesting and thanks for posting it. The number on mine is 42GPS.
I hope I hear back from them concerning vises
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Hey EOC Jason,
"I have this old ad I grabbed somewhere. I think it's the only Desmond ad I've seen... I'm sure someone else out there might have some more..."
That's my vise in a 61S I just picked up. Could I talk you into sending me a copy of that add to go with my vise?
and I like the Parker without the clear coat not that it matters but I think its more "Industrial"
Thanks,
Wes
"I have this old ad I grabbed somewhere. I think it's the only Desmond ad I've seen... I'm sure someone else out there might have some more..."
That's my vise in a 61S I just picked up. Could I talk you into sending me a copy of that add to go with my vise?
and I like the Parker without the clear coat not that it matters but I think its more "Industrial"
Thanks,
Wes
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Kevin, great job on the Desmond and let us know if they tell you anything about their vises.
Thanks,
Wes
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
I don't have the original. I meant I grabbed the image somewhere (probably an eBay listing)... Sorry.
P.S. Not an hour after finishing the Parker I already started taking apart the Reed 1C... My god that thing is FILTHY! I think I need to just soak the whole thing in a tub of simple green.... Also got a Reed 104 in the mail today and had to at least clean the jaws and give a once over...
zoomieport
Well-known member
P.S. Not an hour after finishing the Parker I already started taking apart the Reed 1C... My god that thing is FILTHY! I think I need to just soak the whole thing in a tub of simple green.... Also got a Reed 104 in the mail today and had to at least clean the jaws and give a once over...
And just how many vises are in YOUR "waiting room", Sir?
HAHAHAHAHA!
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Nice little Prentiss, Low Friction. I'd like to find a stationary like that to have a matched pair. I fail to see how you could get any service out of a vise that small. I can see a child getting a lot of use out of it.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
And just how many vises are in YOUR "waiting room", Sir?
HAHAHAHAHA!
Sadly just the two... But I'm trying...
Low Friction
Well-known member
I bought it because it's a trick little micro Prentiss. But for working on small delicate stuff it would be great. The jaws are about the same size as the very useful Starrett 86A.
http://www.starrett.com/metrology/p...ools/Precision-Shop-Tools/Vise-and-Clamps/86A
MacTexas
Well-known member
My grandfather, who died in 1949, had an old wooden tool box made for him when he managed a lumber yard in Lubbock Texas in the 1920's. Growing up I always remember the tool box in the garage and I knew there were some old saws and misc tools. Fast forward to now and I am finally going through the tool box. I found these two metal pieces.
I had no idea what they were or what they did. I noticed the Col. Hdw on each piece. I showed them to a neighbor and he said maybe it is abbreviated for Columbian. Then it hit me I have a Columbian vice, maybe the pieces are for the vice.
Looks like they may fit here.
They look like they are made to hold pipe.
It is a Columbian Cleveland vice and now the mystery has been sloved.
I had no idea what they were or what they did. I noticed the Col. Hdw on each piece. I showed them to a neighbor and he said maybe it is abbreviated for Columbian. Then it hit me I have a Columbian vice, maybe the pieces are for the vice.
Looks like they may fit here.
They look like they are made to hold pipe.
It is a Columbian Cleveland vice and now the mystery has been sloved.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Don't you just love those "Ah Ha!" moments?
Yes, it's meant to hold pipe / round objects.jakemac
Well-known member
Isn't it great that our grandfathers can still surprise and thrill us even after they're gone ?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
What is really cool is those kinds of parts usually go missing and are never seen again.
Now for the REAL test! can you find the "hot cut chisel" that fits the prichard hole on the anvil side? It will be round (probably), stepped, and not too long and have a short chisel so you can insert it into the hole, and place material on it and hit the material to cut it. (Supposed to be done hot, but I'll bet few old timers bothered...)
Now for the REAL test! can you find the "hot cut chisel" that fits the prichard hole on the anvil side? It will be round (probably), stepped, and not too long and have a short chisel so you can insert it into the hole, and place material on it and hit the material to cut it. (Supposed to be done hot, but I'll bet few old timers bothered...)
WildSideFL
New member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2011
- Messages
- 3
Hi, new guy here. First post, but I have been lurking a while admiring garages and stealing ideas. I bought this vise off CL yesterday by searching for "vice". Called the owner, he didn't know manufacturer or size but just said it was pretty big. He said he got it from a Navy friend who was a machinist. It was mounted to a rim style stand. He also had a grinder on a rim style stand and I need a new one anyway so I decided to throw my 2 year old in the car and go for a drive.
Once there I found a Reed 105 R with a small riveted inventory tag attached. I guess that means I have to strip and refinish it to see what the tag says. Got the Craftsman 6" grinder too, $40 each.
Once there I found a Reed 105 R with a small riveted inventory tag attached. I guess that means I have to strip and refinish it to see what the tag says. Got the Craftsman 6" grinder too, $40 each.
zoomieport
Well-known member
va.grouseman
Well-known member
This one makes me sad. 2'' Prentiss, and someone welded the jaw shut.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Time to start grinding....
oldldh
Well-known member
And cutting/grinding/slicing...
FREE THAT LITTLE JEWEL!!!!
FREE THAT LITTLE JEWEL!!!!
datsbooksleia
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2010
- Messages
- 65
I was browsing through Ebay and found some crazy prices on vintage vise like, $300 and $500. Are people out there paying those crazy prices? Check this one out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330934741186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330934741186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Depends... I've seen some vises on there that people have re-listed for a year now with no buyers...
Some with the "or best offer" eventually get an offer that is accepted, I'm sure at a much reduced price. Sometimes the seller just gives up and who knows what happens to the vise...
It also depends on the rarity and desirability of the vise... A Parker 974 is desirable, but hardly rare...
To skip over the fluff I usually just search "auctions only" and skip the BIN people.
Also I've noticed that people that spell it "VICE" on eBay tend to list their vises at much higher starting prices.
jakemac
Well-known member
And then you have to pay $70 for shipping. If I'm going to hand $500 to a stranger, shipping should be included.
zoomieport
Well-known member
I know what you mean, but collectors are collectors...
In this case, that is a very good example of a very common vise. The paint is still there, pretty good for its age...
It's a beautiful vise, but it's just not for me or you... Maybe it's worth that to the next guy...
I have a Parker in unsed condition, I'll sell it to you for $475! HAHA!
Just remember, a guy once paid $2.8 million for a baseball card...bigcaddy
Well-known member
I know what you mean, but collectors are collectors...
In this case, that is a very good example of a very common vise. The paint is still there, pretty good for its age...
It's a beautiful vise, but it's just not for me or you... Maybe it's worth that to the next guy...
I have a Parker in unsed condition, I'll sell it to you for $475! HAHA!
And 10 million+ for a 1797 silver dollar. Some people will pay whatever price to have the best possible example for their collection. I'm guessing the seller is waiting for that particular person.
datsbooksleia
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2010
- Messages
- 65
I understand if it is 1 of a kind item. This vise aint 1 of a kind. Just sayin
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Thanks to the knowledge that I gained from this group, I wouldn't pay that kind of money. However, consider what quality of vise that you would get for $300 at a big box store.
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Its been a while since i've actually posted something, shall we say, substantial in the "Vises" thread but work has been hell and i get tired.
Today i was pleasantly surprised when i opened up a recently acquired Reed 2C and found this little gem on the inside.
Does anybody have any idea what that could mean? I would assume aerospace/defense industry or military surplus since it did come from the San Fernando valley where that stuff is everywhere.
The dynamic jaws in the last picture is the Reed sitting on top of my Prentiss 56 that is currently undergoing the second half of restoration this month. Hopefully ill have it done by July.
Today i was pleasantly surprised when i opened up a recently acquired Reed 2C and found this little gem on the inside.
Does anybody have any idea what that could mean? I would assume aerospace/defense industry or military surplus since it did come from the San Fernando valley where that stuff is everywhere.
The dynamic jaws in the last picture is the Reed sitting on top of my Prentiss 56 that is currently undergoing the second half of restoration this month. Hopefully ill have it done by July.
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andywander
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 359
Pictures?
bigcaddy
Well-known member
Sorry, i got a new camera for my birthday last week and its taking huge pictures. Today is the first time ive uploaded them onto the computer and had to resize them.
oldldh
Well-known member
"Defense Substitute" sounds like going to war with weapons supplied by the lowest bidder...
It's going to be a really nice vise when you get through with it...
It's going to be a really nice vise when you get through with it...
vicelord
Member
Hello
Today i bought my first vice. Its an old german model made in Romania probably in the 70's.
It's mising the front screw colar, the jaws aren't serated any more and its in general bad looking condition.
The screw and the slides are greased so it works easy.
I want to refurbish this but don't know how or where to start.
What do you think???
Regards
Today i bought my first vice. Its an old german model made in Romania probably in the 70's.
It's mising the front screw colar, the jaws aren't serated any more and its in general bad looking condition.
The screw and the slides are greased so it works easy.
I want to refurbish this but don't know how or where to start.
What do you think???
Regards
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bczygan
Well-known member
Detroit CL has an ad for a nice workbench for 199 with a Wilton bullet on it.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Mainly get the old paint and rust off, and in your case since you have "way slide" on that particular vise I'd take a honing stone to any high spots caused by dings so they don't cause undue interference.
Also look the main screw over for any collateral damage. you may need to clean up a ding or two on it.
Looks to be a nice vise under all the grunge.
Keep us posted on progress!Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
As I mentioned up in the post somewhere, I e-mailed Desmond Stephans about their vises. I just received a reply back from them yesterday and here is what they said:
Dear Kevin (that's me
) 
I'll scan off the pages here in just a few. I did find out that the large vise I have that opens up like 12" and has the tall jaws on it, it a Sheet Metal Pattern Makers vise, which makes sense because it came out of our shop and a lot of that went on in the day. I did get it repainted and back together and in noticing the jaws, there was a .005 brass shim behind one of the jaws. When I put the vise back together I left it out and it left a gap at the top. I put it back in and the jaws close together tight. So that vise was evidently made with some precision in mind, as maybe all of the vises were
What I find a little unusual, is that for years, probably 45 or so that my dad has had his vise, I always thought it was a Craftsman vise. When I cleaned out the garage and got it, it was a Desmond Stephans vise. Last year sometime a vise came up on CL for $20 so I took a drive and bought it. It is a Ridgid vise.
I never knew they had hardened jaws, but mine had a chip out of it, so I put it in the mill and took a cut off of it with a carbide tool only taking a few thou at a time. Not only are the jaws hardened, they are almost glass hard. The carbide just about didn't phase it. And when I was done, the carbide was dulled on the end. That's hard!!!!!
The sad thing....over the years, our shop shitcanned dozens of vises and would not allow anyone to retrieve them from the dumpster.
Dear Kevin (that's me
) I'll scan off the pages here in just a few. I did find out that the large vise I have that opens up like 12" and has the tall jaws on it, it a Sheet Metal Pattern Makers vise, which makes sense because it came out of our shop and a lot of that went on in the day. I did get it repainted and back together and in noticing the jaws, there was a .005 brass shim behind one of the jaws. When I put the vise back together I left it out and it left a gap at the top. I put it back in and the jaws close together tight. So that vise was evidently made with some precision in mind, as maybe all of the vises were
What I find a little unusual, is that for years, probably 45 or so that my dad has had his vise, I always thought it was a Craftsman vise. When I cleaned out the garage and got it, it was a Desmond Stephans vise. Last year sometime a vise came up on CL for $20 so I took a drive and bought it. It is a Ridgid vise.
I never knew they had hardened jaws, but mine had a chip out of it, so I put it in the mill and took a cut off of it with a carbide tool only taking a few thou at a time. Not only are the jaws hardened, they are almost glass hard. The carbide just about didn't phase it. And when I was done, the carbide was dulled on the end. That's hard!!!!!
The sad thing....over the years, our shop shitcanned dozens of vises and would not allow anyone to retrieve them from the dumpster.
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EOC_Jason
Well-known member
That's cool they replied back and sent you that info.
Explains why my Ridge Tool / Ridgid vises look a LOT like a Desmond Stephans... lol...
Explains why my Ridge Tool / Ridgid vises look a LOT like a Desmond Stephans... lol...
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I thought the same thing yesterday when I was putting my big vise back together and was looking at my dads smaller vise. I thought that dads smaller vise looked very much like the Ridgid vise next to it.
I have the pics on the camera in the garage that I'll post up. I need to e-mail Emerson Electric now and try to get the poop on the Ridgid vises. I also need to see if I can find someone to make a decal before I repaint the Ridgid vise.
I just finished sending an e-mail to Ridgid, so we'll have to see what pans out there. I asked them if they can supply some history and possibly some copies of their catalogs from around the timeframe of the transition between Desmond and Ridgid, and later for the vise products. I also asked them if the vises are still made in the United States, or if they have went offshore with that and if so, what year that transition was done. Basically, what year the last vises were made in the U.S. if they aren't today.
One thing I noticed when repainting my large D.S. vise, I noticed what looked like a round ring on the side of the vise. I'd say without measuring it, the ring or round circle looked to be maybe 1 1/4" in diameter. I now know that it is the pin that locks the steel slide to the front body of the vise.
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csargents1546
Well-known member
Recently I picked up a well used athol 614. Got it all cleaned up. The jaws are worn smooth. Not unexpected given its age. Since it was frozen up wiht dirt and debris I got it for 35 dollars. Got it all repainted and lubed up. I noticed some metal pieces on the screw, they are from the nut in the main body. Tried to see any damage, a few of the threads looked damaged. Tightened down a block of wood and it slipped out when pressure was applied. Does anyone have a source for the nut in the body of the vise?
The Ratchet Man
Well-known member
So...I made another vise purchase that I thought was a great deal. I don't know much about it though. Tell me what I got and how I did.
The details...
I was in Ace Hardware a couple of days ago and saw this vise had a red clearence tag on it. This vise has been on the shelf for at least the last 5 years in the same beat up box. Since I'm a sucker for clearance items I brought it up to the register to inquire about price since the clearance price was $99 but the regular price wasn't listed.
The cashier told me that the regular price was $99 and the clearance price was $99. I asked her what the red tag was for then, while mumbling about carrying an estimated 75 lb. vise all the way to the register. She ended up offering an extra $10 off. I opened the box and found the paint was chipped around the anvil and said I would take it for $25 off. She called the manager and the manager agreed.
After using $15 in Ace Rewards points (that she let me use on a clearance item) I walked out the door with it for $59.99 plus tax.
One of the things I noticed on the box was that it said "Made in the USA for Ace Hardware Corp". If it hadn't been for that I might've passed because I don't need another vise...well maybe.
After researching the model number I found that this is not the current model offered by Ace. The current model is gray in color and has "ACE" in raised letters on the side. This one has no markings, not even the model number. Model # is 2185619. A couple of sites have is titled "ACE TRADING-BENCH VISES APEX" if that helps.
The whole jaw assembly will turn 360* and the whole vise will swivel 360*. It has 2 numbered strips, one for the degrees of rotation of the jaws and one for the extension of the jaw. It has 3 sets of jaws: one standard set, one pipe set and a set of triangle notched jaws on the bottom that I can't figure out what they are used for. It has 2 swivel clamps and 1 rotation clamp. All three movements operate smooth as silk and that is with the old dried up grease still in there. Complete teardown and lube is in the near future.
So did I do good?
The details...
I was in Ace Hardware a couple of days ago and saw this vise had a red clearence tag on it. This vise has been on the shelf for at least the last 5 years in the same beat up box. Since I'm a sucker for clearance items I brought it up to the register to inquire about price since the clearance price was $99 but the regular price wasn't listed.
The cashier told me that the regular price was $99 and the clearance price was $99. I asked her what the red tag was for then, while mumbling about carrying an estimated 75 lb. vise all the way to the register. She ended up offering an extra $10 off. I opened the box and found the paint was chipped around the anvil and said I would take it for $25 off. She called the manager and the manager agreed.
After using $15 in Ace Rewards points (that she let me use on a clearance item
) I walked out the door with it for $59.99 plus tax.One of the things I noticed on the box was that it said "Made in the USA for Ace Hardware Corp". If it hadn't been for that I might've passed because I don't need another vise...well maybe.
After researching the model number I found that this is not the current model offered by Ace. The current model is gray in color and has "ACE" in raised letters on the side. This one has no markings, not even the model number. Model # is 2185619. A couple of sites have is titled "ACE TRADING-BENCH VISES APEX" if that helps.
The whole jaw assembly will turn 360* and the whole vise will swivel 360*. It has 2 numbered strips, one for the degrees of rotation of the jaws and one for the extension of the jaw. It has 3 sets of jaws: one standard set, one pipe set and a set of triangle notched jaws on the bottom that I can't figure out what they are used for. It has 2 swivel clamps and 1 rotation clamp. All three movements operate smooth as silk and that is with the old dried up grease still in there. Complete teardown and lube is in the near future.
So did I do good?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Ratchet man, I'd love to know who in the USA made that for Ace...
To be honest without the box (I'd keep that box BTW, evidence...) I (and probably all of the other regulars on GJ that do the "vise thing" would have instantly said that was Asian made. It does appear to be a cut above what is usually seen, but it also has the pacific rim "markers" (Plated screw handles, the angle gauge strip and it matches almost EXACTLY the basic pattern of the typicla HF/Jet/Taiwan brand x swivel head vise.
Would I have bought that in similar circumstances? If I saw the made in USE adn the castings looked clean and not bondoed for "pretty" paint, likely. good deal, I just hope ACE/you weren't lied to about COO.
ps: are you sure it was in the original box?
To be honest without the box (I'd keep that box BTW, evidence...) I (and probably all of the other regulars on GJ that do the "vise thing" would have instantly said that was Asian made. It does appear to be a cut above what is usually seen, but it also has the pacific rim "markers" (Plated screw handles, the angle gauge strip and it matches almost EXACTLY the basic pattern of the typicla HF/Jet/Taiwan brand x swivel head vise.
Would I have bought that in similar circumstances? If I saw the made in USE adn the castings looked clean and not bondoed for "pretty" paint, likely. good deal, I just hope ACE/you weren't lied to about COO.
ps: are you sure it was in the original box?
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Assembled some vises I'd set aside after cleaning and painting them; the tiny drill press vise is finally free after many applications of Kroil and is next to be cleaned-up.
The trusty HF style $45 blue Larin was swapped-out for the 9450 Wilton. Here's a pic of the Larin, with DIY flip-away soft jaw covers.
I checked with Walter Meier for replacement jaw inserts, because one corner is chipped, they no longer have parts for this model, but have something I could machine to fit --- $130.
The trusty HF style $45 blue Larin was swapped-out for the 9450 Wilton. Here's a pic of the Larin, with DIY flip-away soft jaw covers.
I checked with Walter Meier for replacement jaw inserts, because one corner is chipped, they no longer have parts for this model, but have something I could machine to fit --- $130.
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